gessman Loc: Colorado

Well, I understand and agree with most of what you said, especially the part about "If you get the results you want, it doesn't matter how you get there," and yes, M and auto-ISO can get some very rewarding results and I'm betting that Steve Perry would be the last person to say, "if you don't do it just like I do, you'll not get any decent images." I don't use any particular technique ALL the time but adjust to the needs of the situation. I do have a good grasp of when my camera is going to let me down and at that juncture, time permitting, I take charge and alter my normal pattern as needed and never meant to imply otherwise. I highly recommend that others do likewise and not get stuck using one method for every shot but be flexible, know what works, and give it your best shot.

sxrich

[quote=gessman]Well, I understand and agree with most of what you said, especially the part about "If you get the results you want, it doesn't matter how you get there," and yes, M and auto-ISO One of the reasons I like Manual with autoISO so much is that I forget to watch my meter or other things which would cause me to screw up. During every photoshoot, I make a mistake(s). Every time! So, I know my weaknesses and try to compensate with approaches that work for me. If I'm shooting a wedding reception, I may just go with 1/200, F5.6 and ISO 400, sb700 and be done with it. If I want some creativity with lighting, turn off the speedlight and go with a 85 1.8, deviating from my typical go to lens of 24-70 2.8. However, absolute best wedding guy out of Beverly Hills shoots in Nikon's P mode. So, it doesn't matter. One night I decided to go out and do some shooting at 2am, tripod, and I'm adjusting my shutter speed, again in M but no autoISO, I'll use ISO 100. I did a comparison that night between two lenses and confirmed just how good my Tokina 100mm macro truly is. Here's one with the Tokina 11-16 on a d7100 where I let the camera tell me the shutter speed. So, is manual used by most people here, maybe. I taught my 11 year old grandson from day one to shoot in manual. He had some flash cards, typical approaches for outside and inside with speedlight and he did really well. I wanted him to learn about reading light, exposure triangle. Others might not care. It's just doesn't matter.I don't think there is a best way, just great results.

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Bill_de Loc: US

Thanks very much for the response, and continuing to participate in this conversation.

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cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Very well put, Tommy.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

[quote=sxrich]

Speaking of "great results." Beautiful shot.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Know what you mean, Kid. Too many people today want to learn the tricks-of-the-trade without bothering to learn the trade.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

The devil is in the details.

Spot metering might work if the runner is wearing gray that fills the spot in the camera's spot meter and happens to slow down long enough to lock your exposure. And if the horse, car or bird is gray and big enough to fill the spot. Otherwise you have to compensate when the subject is not gray. By the time you figure all of this out, the subject is gone.

You are better off metering the pavement or the grass and setting the exposure on Manual.

BebuLamar

In earlier post I pointed out situations where manual is needed but I personally would use manual whenever the exposure settings need to be different from what the meter indicates. There are many ways that I can get the camera to set to any aperture and shutter speed I want even in P mode but it's simpler just to switch to manual. In P mode you can use AEL and or EC to get the camera to set to the exposure you want then you can use the program shift function to set to aperture/shutter combination you want.

Bill_de Loc: US

One example where, I believe, P, S, A modes could be easier is a situation where the proper exposure is set, using EC if necessary, and you want to shoot multiple images at different depths of field. I find myself doing that with flowers. In manual you would need to reset shutter speed in addition to aperture, not that it would be a big deal. The advantage of using flexible program (Nikon term) is very small, as is usually the case no matter what mode we use.

Knowing how all your cameras functions work together is the key. The problem for me is they keep adding functions while my memory is deteriorating. I will most likely have to revert to manual one day since that is ingrained ... I hope.

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DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Sorry to say - that is not a camera issue.
I use Manual (not all the time but most of the time) because my camera doesn't meter the scene well. My results are more predictable when I'm in control.

gessman Loc: Colorado

...and as you say about "the details" it would depend on whether or not this was a planned shoot or a spontaneous opportunity. Since my normal lazy shooting mode is "working" "A," (or "S") part of which is using "exposure lock," I think pre-metering, if possible, on a substitute "grey" spot and locking the reading in, a simple two button press I'm used to, would be simpler and faster for me than switching to "M" and changing my settings. Of course, if I were in "M" already, and I often am, which isn't a bad idea by any stretch, then you're absolutely right. Of course, not being a photographer, and not having my technique "grooved," since almost every shot is a new experience, I'd probably choke and wind up with a bunch of badly exposed shots and have to scramble back in "post," but then there is batch, level droppers, and denoise.

Danny Nash

This is excellent! Great information!

MauiMoto Loc: Hawaii

Because it's more fun and it's not like the days of film. Where you don't want to waste film and not really sure till it's developed. And changing ISO wasn't so easy.

Danny Nash

Your responses are very much appreciated!

Thank you,

Danny